• Good Afternoon Neighbors
• This Week
• Transit Safety First!
• Illegal Dumping
• Volunteers Needed: King County Health Clinic

Good Afternoon Neighbors

March 7, 2025

We have witnessed spring-like weather this week – while it is still chilly, the sun is out! And more people are headed outside to enjoy the fresh air and blue skies.

At the King County Council, we are discussing the Parks Levy proposal for improving access to trails, parks, ballfields, and open spaces throughout King County. 

For more information about the Executive’s proposal, please take a look at the parks levy website or check out the Council’s staff review of the proposal (on video: go to 1:08). We welcome your comments.

The goal of this e-news is to share information about council business, upcoming community events, access to services, opportunities, and ways for us to build an even better South King County.

If you have something to share, please do not hesitate to contact me at district5.kingcountycouncil@kingcounty.gov or 206 477-1005.

This Week

Family First welcomed Councilmembers De’Sean Quinn and Reagan Dunn (center). From left to right and front to back: Christopher Kidd, Executive Director Jackie Montgomery, CM Dunn and CM Quinn, Jaylen Harris, Danira Monreal, Dominique Harris, Omar Espinosa and Executive Director Nate Robinson

On Monday, we visited the Family First Community Center in Renton.  Family First provides programs for all-ages, from toddlers to teens to adults and seniors. 

Family First is dedicated to providing a positive, supportive environment that is growth- oriented and promotes wellness.   It is located in the Benson Hill and Cascade neighborhoods.

On Tuesday, the Housing, Health and Human Services Committee (HHH) voted to recommend the Consortium Consolidated Plan for Housing 2025-2029. The committee was also briefed on expanding King County Mobile Crisis Teams to address behavioral health. You can watch the committee meeting here.

On Tuesday, the Council voted to approve:

• the East Link Transportation Service Changes – Ordinance 2025-0056 – one of Metro Transit’s largest service changes to ensure buses are coordinated with the new Link Light rail service. This change affects 44 routes and adds 150,000 service hours.
• Motion 2025-0020 creating a task force on transit safety and security for riders and drivers. We were pleased to have leadership from the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 at the meeting.
• Motion 2025-0058 regarding the management of unplanned trip cancellations on Metro Transit to better serve riders.

I will be serving as a member of the Transit Security Task Force and look forward to reporting back on task force recommendations to ensure our riders and drivers are safe. You can watch the council meeting here.

On Wednesday, the Flood District Executive Committee received a report on the February 2025 flooding and ways to improve preparedness and provide public information. 

On Thursday, I participated in my first Sound Transit Rider Experience and Operations Committee meeting where we discussed light rail operating systems, fare ambassadors, and performance metrics.

On Friday, my team and I looked at spaces for a small district office in Kent.  We are eager to be available and engaged in the district.

Sincerely,
De’Sean Quinn
King County Councilmember, District 5
Des Moines, Kent, Normandy Park, Renton, Sea-Tac, Tukwila

Transit Safety First!

District 5 constituents are concerned about safety on Metro buses

King County Executive, Sheriff's Office, and Metro work to improve rider safety

Click the image above to watch a short video about what King County has already been doing to improve transit safety.

We have heard from constituents like Mathew in Des Moines who are concerned about safety on Metro Transit. 

If you are wondering what steps Metro Transit is taking to improve safety now, click on this video above.  Actions have included doubling the number of transit security officers to increase security presence on transit region-wide and to patrol hot spots. 

Metro reports that over the past nine months, transit security deputies have made over 400 arrests. Buses are also being cleaned more frequently, and behavioral health outreach specialists are helping people in need.

The new Transit Security Task Force will be looking for more ways to improve safety in addition to these steps to increase security and ensure riding is a safe experience.

Illegal Dumping

District 5 constituents ask about cleaning up our roads

Help us clean up our roads and public property by reporting illegal dumping!

We recently received a call from Tyler asking about trash along roads and highways in District 5 and around King County. We are sharing our response to Tyler here as well. We can all do our part by using our transfer stations for trash and by reporting illegal dumping we see!

Help keep our roads and highways clean by reporting illegal dumping at the following:

For illegal dumping on public property – call 206 296-SITE (7483) toll free 1-866-431-7483, TTY Relay: 711

You may also file a written complaint at the following link Illegal dumping - King County, Washington

Click here for information about WA State Department of Ecology Litter Pickup and Prevention.

Volunteers Needed: King County Health Clinic

Sign up now for the next clinic April 24-27

Are you a trained medical professional who can offer services to help those in need of healthcare? Please join the 2025 Seattle-King County Healthcare Clinic – located at Seattle Center and serving people from throughout King County. See below list of needed services. Click here for more details.

Join the Climate Equity Task Force

Applications Due March 18

Are you interested in helping your community adapt to climate change impacts? Would you like to shape what your local government is doing to help us to reduce pollution, prepare for climate impacts, and to partner with Black, Indigenous, People of Color, immigrant, and refugee communities in this work? Are you passionate about environmental and climate justice?

The King County Climate Equity program is seeking 8-10 individuals representing organizations/collectives/networks and 2-3 youth applicants to join the Climate Equity Community Task Force.

This is a group of climate justice and community leaders acting on the commitments King County has made in the King County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP). The SCAP is a 5-year blueprint for County climate action, and it outlines King County’s priorities and commitments for climate action to residents and partners. King County is currently updating the SCAP for 2025-2030, and it will be published in summer 2025.

King County Health Through Housing

Join the Health Through Housing (HTH) Advisory Committee

King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is currently recruiting members to fill seven positions on the Health Through Housing (HTH) Advisory Committee. The deadline to submit a nomination is March 15, 2025. Check out the nomination form here. 

The Health Through Housing (HTH) Initiative is an innovative approach that accelerates our region’s response to chronic homelessness.

King County is partnering with host cities to create up to 1,600 units of emergency housing and permanent supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness.

Through innovative partnerships and close collaboration with city governments, service providers, and local communities, HTH acquires former hotels and other existing buildings and converts them into apartments that are dignified, affordable, and service enriched.

King County Council District 5 – the center of our universe!

The National Women’s History Alliance chose the 2025 theme “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations” to celebrate the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. King County Executive Dow Constantine signed an official proclamation dedicated to this theme.

Thank you for reading our fifth edition of our e-news. Please feel free to contact us and share information you have about your city or neighborhood at district5.kingcountycouncil@kingcounty.gov or 206 477-1005.

De'Sean Quinn (he/him/his)
King County Councilmember, District 5
(206) 477-1005 Send me an email
www.kingcounty.gov/quinn